February 2020 – Bible About Money

Never Too Late To Start the Day — Parable of the Vineyard Workers Mt 20 #1

Matthew 20 New Living Translation (NLT)

Parable of the Vineyard Workers

20 “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard.

²He agreed to pay the normal daily wage^[a] and sent them out to work. ³“At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. ⁴So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. ⁵So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing.
⁶“At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’
⁷“They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’
“The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’
⁸“That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. ⁹When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. ¹⁰When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage. ¹¹When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, ¹²‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’
¹³“He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? ¹⁴Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. ¹⁵Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’
Matthew 20:2-15

¹⁶“So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”
Matthew 20:16

References & reflections

[1] https://www.jesusfilm.org/blog-and-stories/parable-vineyard-workers.html
[2] https://www.gotquestions.org/parable-laborers-vineyard.html
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Workers_in_the_Vineyard
[4] Vineyard costs, where are the lessons? Where is wisdom? https://vineyardandwinerysales.com/newsletter/napa-and-sonoma-county-real-estate-market-elements-vineyard-values-and-wine-grape-prices/

Grace: Forgiven! Unemployment Okay — Stop Working, Start Receiving — Francis Chan Christs Crazy Love Ministry

God’s Grace – Not Works or Merits Based Faith

Paul’s Greeting to the Galatians

1Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead— 2and all the brothers with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,a4who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

No Other Gospel

6I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.

8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! 9As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!

Paul Preaches the Gospel

10Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not according to man. 12I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

13For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased 16to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.

18Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas,band I stayed with him fifteen days. 19But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie.

21Later I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22I was personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24And they glorified God because of me.

1000 New Bedsets for 20 Orphanages in Ukraine that are Christian run! We’re making a difference – Francis wrote a check 3 months ago. Our typical offering is $90,000 a week. This week we’re going to write a check for $251,000!

No one knew!

Affirmation from God: You’re on the right track
Francis Chan God-blessed Philanthropy

Eschatological Escape; Peter’s Precious Promise — YOU HAVE ALL YOU NEED — Francis Chan Crazy Love Ministry

2nd Peter 1:1-4

Greetings from Peter

1 This letter is from Simon^[a] Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.

I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness^[b] of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.

²May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

Growing in Faith

³By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

BENEDICTION

2 Corinthians 5:21 New Living Translation (NLT)

²¹For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
2nd Corinthians 5:21

2 Corinthians 9:15 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2nd Corinthians 9:15

REFERENCES & REFLECTIONS

[1] 1st Corinthians 2:9, 3:21-23
[2] 2nd Corinthians 5:21
[3] 2nd Corinthians 9:15
[4] 2nd Peter 1:1-4

Precious Promise & Partakers of Divine Nature — YOU HAVE ALL YOU NEED — Francis Chan Crazy Love Ministry

2nd Peter 1:1-4

Greetings from Peter

1 This letter is from Simon^[a] Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.

I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness^[b] of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.

²May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

Growing in Faith

³By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

⁴And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord! II Peter 1:1-2

2 Corinthians 5:21 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus God’s Offering for Our Sin & Righteousness in Christ!

²¹For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21

Equity in Spiritual Standing — Francis Chan Crazy Love Ministry

2 Corinthians 5:21 New Living Translation (NLT)

²¹For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21

Living Humbly — Francis Chan Christ’s Crazy Love Ministry

AUTHORITY & HUMILITY

Philippians 2 New Living Translation (NLT)

Have the Attitude of Christ

2 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? ²Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

³Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ⁴Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

⁵You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

⁶Though he was God,^[a]
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
⁷Instead, he gave up his divine privileges^[b];
    he took the humble position of a slave^[c]
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,^[d]
⁸    he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

⁹Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Isaiah 45 New Living Translation (NLT)

Cyrus, the Lord’s Chosen One

45 This is what the Lord says to Cyrus, his anointed one,
whose right hand he will empower.

Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear.
Their fortress gates will be opened,
never to shut again.

²This is what the Lord says:

“I will go before you, Cyrus,
    and level the mountains.^[a]
I will smash down gates of bronze
    and cut through bars of iron.
³And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—
    secret riches.
I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord,
    the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.
⁴“And why have I called you for this work?
    Why did I call you by name when you did not know me?
It is for the sake of Jacob my servant,
    Israel my chosen one.
⁵I am the Lord;
    there is no other God.
I have equipped you for battle,
    though you don’t even know me,
⁶so all the world from east to west
    will know there is no other God.
I am the Lord, and there is no other.
⁷    I create the light and make the darkness.
I send good times and bad times.
    I, the Lord, am the one who does these things.
⁸“Open up, O heavens,
    and pour out your righteousness.
Let the earth open wide
    so salvation and righteousness can sprout up together.
    I, the Lord, created them.
⁹“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator.
    Does a clay pot argue with its maker?
Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying,
    ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’
Does the pot exclaim,
    ‘How clumsy can you be?’
¹⁰How terrible it would be if a newborn baby said to its father,
    ‘Why was I born?’
or if it said to its mother,
    ‘Why did you make me this way?’”
¹¹This is what the Lord says—
    the Holy One of Israel and your Creator:
“Do you question what I do for my children?
    Do you give me orders about the work of my hands?
¹²I am the one who made the earth
    and created people to live on it.
With my hands I stretched out the heavens.
    All the stars are at my command.
¹³I will raise up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose,
    and I will guide his actions.
He will restore my city and free my captive people—
    without seeking a reward!
    I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”

references & reflections

[1] http://revchrisroth.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-humility-of-christ-phil-2.html
[2] http://t2womenintheword.blogspot.com/2017/09/a-lesson-in-humility-philippians-2.html
[3] https://www.slideshare.net/DavidTurner28/examples-of-humility-and-unity-phil-21930
[4]

Jeremiah Chapter 26

“They took the thirty pieces of Silver – the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel, and purchased the potter’s field, as the Lord directed.” – Zechariah 11:12-13; Jeremiah 32:6-9; Matthew 26:8-10

The POFW Daily Bible Reading

Eat This Book

Read Proverbs Chapter 29

Jeremiah 26

1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the Lord, saying,

²Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:

³If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.

⁴And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you,

⁵To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I…

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Who is the King of Glory? — Psalm 24 #2

Psalm 24 New Living Translation (NLT)

A psalm of David.

¹The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.
The world and all its people belong to him.
²For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas
and built it on the ocean depths.

³Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?
    Who may stand in his holy place?
⁴Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,
    who do not worship idols
    and never tell lies.
⁵They will receive the Lord’s blessing
    and have a right relationship with God their savior.
⁶Such people may seek you
    and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.^[a] Interlude
Psalm 24:3-6

⁷Open up, ancient gates!
    Open up, ancient doors,
    and let the King of glory enter.
⁸Who is the King of glory?
    The Lord, strong and mighty;
    the Lord, invincible in battle.
⁹Open up, ancient gates!
    Open up, ancient doors,
    and let the King of glory enter.

¹⁰Who is the King of glory?
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—
he is the King of glory.
Psalm 24:10

Sovereign Wealth of Our Lord — Psalm 24 #1

Psalm 24 New Living Translation (NLT)

A psalm of David.

¹The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.
The world and all its people belong to him.
²For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas
and built it on the ocean depths.
Psalm 24:1-2

Financial Decisions With Eternal Consequences! — Francis Chan Christ’s Crazy Love Ministry

Luke 16 Parable of the Shrewd Manager!

Luke 16 New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, **who will entrust to you the true riches?**”

16 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. ²So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

³“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— ⁴I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’

⁵“So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

⁶“‘Nine hundred gallons^[a] of olive oil,’ he replied.

“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’

⁷“Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’

“‘A thousand bushels^[b] of wheat,’ he replied.

“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’

⁸“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. ⁹I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

¹⁰“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. ¹¹So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? ¹²And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

¹³“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Luke 16:13

¹⁴The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. ¹⁵He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?”
Luke 16